Chinpu's Fight

Chinpu's Fight occurred in late August 1814 during the Chilean War of Independence when a band of 13 Mapuche riders under Chinpu Colque ambushed a company of 19 Chilean soldiers under Javier Pando in the countryside of Chile. The ensuing battle saw the Chileans defeat the Mapuche riders, but not before losing 10 of their 19 soldiers.

Background
During the Chilean War of Independence, the Chilean patriots took control of northern Chile and battled against the Spanish royalist forces in Peru and in the region around Concepcion in southern Chile. The anarchy which engulfed much of Chile allowed for bands of Mapuche riders to raid into rural areas of Chile, attacking and extorting travelers. Some of these bands ventured especially deep into Chilean territory, where they proved to be an imminent threat to travellers, both civilian and military.

Battle
In late August 1814, a band of Mapuche riders under Chinpu Colque ambushed a company of 19 Chilean volunteers led by Javier Pando as they marched to Rancagua. Chinpu demanded that they pay for free passage, but the Chileans refused, and battle began. The Chileans, entirely consisting of volunteer footsoldiers with muskets, faced a force of 13 Mapuche riders equipped with spears. The Mapuche riders charged into the Chilean volunteers, killing several of them after catching them in a state of confusion. Pando rode around on his horse and attacked several of the riders with his sword, turning the tide of battle. Many of the Mapuche warriors' horses were killed, forcing them to fight on equal terms as infantrymen; they now wielded hatchets against volunteers equipped with muskets, and they were soon overwhelmed and massacred. The battle ended with the death or wounding of all of the Mapuche warriors, with only 1 surviving. However, the Chilean force suffered heavy losses, with 7 of the 19 soldiers being killed and 3 more wounded. The battle was one of the first clashes between Chilean forces and Mapuche brigands during the War of Independence, and the Chileans periodically retaliated by looting Mapuche villages in southern Chile.